The spring-summer period is the perfect time to pull a bicycle out of the garage and take care of the condition and health, as well as to diversify sunny afternoons and evenings. It is also a great way to improve your well-being and spend some time in nature – preferably with friends or family. However, we must not forget that cycling is also a necessity to adapt to certain safety requirements. What is going on? We checked it.
When choosing a bike trip, we should remember to take care of your safety. That is why it is so important to check whether our bike meets all the most important requirements. One of them is lighting for the bicycle.
Why is the right bicycle lighting important?
Compulsory bicycle lighting is important not only due to legal requirements, but above all for the sake of safety. A cyclist who, for example, travels around a vacant space after dark and does not have any lighting, is almost invisible to the driver. Thus, it threatens not only yourself, but also other road users. If at some point, for example, he decides to turn, it can lead to an accident.
Bicycle lighting – recipes
According to the regulations in force, every cyclist is required to have at least two lights installed: white or yellow on the front and red on the back. It is very important not to swap their places! Such a distinction is intended to help car drivers to know which side the cyclist is facing – whether he is driving towards them or in the opposite direction. The lights may be flashing or not – it is a matter of debate, which of them is better visible to drivers. In addition, a red reflector should be placed at the back of the bike. The front can also be mounted, but it must be in white. Such light should be visible from a distance of about 150 m.
The bike can also be equipped with reflectors – on wheels (specifically on side planes) and pedals. And what about the cyclist? The law does not require the biker to wear flares, but we strongly encourage you to do so – says Anita Nicias from the Reflective Platform Company. – A cyclist who puts on wearing a reflective vest or even a reflective harness is incomparably better visible on the road from the one who only uses light, and this allows him to ride safely.
There are many options for choosing reflections – people who do not like large, loose vests, can choose a more suitable model or choose a reflective harness. Among the gadgets, we also find scarves and reflective hats – great for both adults and children.
If we are planning to spend the summer months on the road, make sure that our lighting and our bicycle are impeccable – this way we will not only save on a possible mandate, but also protect our own health and life.